The story of Rachmaninoff s life and career is
perhaps one of the most unusual among those of famous
composers. Not only did Rachmaninoff live in two
centuries, experiencing many changes in
music, literature, theater and art, but he also
witnessed momentous changes in Russia, as well as the
impact of world events on Russian history: the end of
the Tsar s Russia with the Revolution of 1917 and the
First and Second World Wars. Numerous identified and
unidentified sources have called Rachmaninoff the
last Romantic of the twentieth century, implying
that his style remained firmly in the Romantic
tradition throughout his career, untouched by
twentieth century musical influences. In fact,
though, his style did evolve, but it did so in ways
which were so smooth and subtle that the changes were
almost unnoticed.This book focuses on the evolution
of Sergei Rachmaninoff s musical style as illustrated
by his four Piano Concertos and the Rhapsody on a
Theme by Paganini, comparing different stylistic
features such as orchestration, harmonic and melodic
language, and the relationship between the piano and
the orchestra.
perhaps one of the most unusual among those of famous
composers. Not only did Rachmaninoff live in two
centuries, experiencing many changes in
music, literature, theater and art, but he also
witnessed momentous changes in Russia, as well as the
impact of world events on Russian history: the end of
the Tsar s Russia with the Revolution of 1917 and the
First and Second World Wars. Numerous identified and
unidentified sources have called Rachmaninoff the
last Romantic of the twentieth century, implying
that his style remained firmly in the Romantic
tradition throughout his career, untouched by
twentieth century musical influences. In fact,
though, his style did evolve, but it did so in ways
which were so smooth and subtle that the changes were
almost unnoticed.This book focuses on the evolution
of Sergei Rachmaninoff s musical style as illustrated
by his four Piano Concertos and the Rhapsody on a
Theme by Paganini, comparing different stylistic
features such as orchestration, harmonic and melodic
language, and the relationship between the piano and
the orchestra.